Is It Permissible To Make Dua For, Wish Mercy On, And Pray For Forgiveness Of Non-Muslims?

Is it permissible to make dua for, wish mercy on, and pray for forgiveness of non-Muslims?

Praying for mercy and asking forgiveness for non-Muslims means asking forgiveness for them from Almighty Allah, whom they denied while they were alive. According to the Islamic belief, since everyone is responsible for believing in Allah and His religion, one’s own deeds are considered essential. Duas that are made by others for a person if he does not believe in Allah when he was alive and dies in blasphemy will be invalid and they will not be of any help to him.

Because it is stated in many verses that hypocrites who die as disbelievers will not be forgiven altough others ask forgiveness for them (Nisa, 4/18, 48; Tawbah, 9/80) and it is prohibited to ask Allah for their forgiveness. On the other hand, the Messenger of Allah (saw) gave talqin of “La ilaha illallah” to his uncle Abu Talib when he was about to die and he did not believe but Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “I swear to Allah that I will definitely ask forgiveness for you as long as it is not prohibited for me.” (Bukhari, Jana’iz, 80). Upon this event, the verse of “It is not fitting, for the Prophet and those who believe, that they should pray for forgiveness for Pagans, even though they be of kin, after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire.” (Tawbah, 9/113) was sent down.

In another narrative, it is stated that Prophet Muhammad (saw) performed funeral prayer of Abdullah ibn Ubay ibn Salul and after expressing that he would wish mercy on him, the verse, “Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave; For they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse reballion.” (Tawbah, 9/84) was revealed (Bukhari Jana’iz, 83).

With reference to the related verses, it is understood that it will be appropriate for a Muslim not to ask for forgiveness of a person who died as a non-Muslim, not to wish mercy on him, just to give condolences kindly when he encounters with such funeral, and advise people to be patient and give solace to the alive people.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA